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Fans came out in big numbers on Opening Night.

Cold Hard Truths

After hockey's year of demise, the pucks finally dropped Wednesday. With the new season, we offer our 20 Cold Hard Truths, things you need to watch in 2005-06. Launch

MORE FEATURES

Experts' predictions: Flames are Cup favorites
It's hard to pick a favorite with all of the NHL changes upon us, but the Flames are looking like the Cup favorite amongst our experts.

Burnside: Players to watch
Who will make the biggest impact? Who will be the biggest dud? Check out our list of players to watch this season.

Buccigross: Eastern Conference preview
How will Martin St. Louis and the Bolts do this season? John Buccigross says they'll contend, but might not repeat.

Hradek: Top games to watch this season
Loopy over which games to watch this season? E.J. Hradek's got your back with his top 10 picks.

Buccigross: Western Conference preview
With a little help from his MP3 player, John Buccigross previews the Western Conference for the upcoming season.

Remember the rules: A look at NHL's changes
Don't remember all of the NHL rule changes? Still have questions? Well, here's a refresher course.

Burnside: Patience the key to this season
We won't see the new NHL right away on Oct. 5. But with some patience, the sport will get where we all want it to be.

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NHL TEAM PREVIEWS
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago Blackhawks	Preview capsule	Your take?
Columbus Blue Jackets	Preview capsule	Your take?
Detroit Red Wings	Preview capsule	Your take?
Nashville Predators	Preview capsule	Your take?
St. Louis Blues	Preview capsule	Your take?
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NORTHWEST DIVISION
Calgary Flames	Preview capsule	Your take?
Colorado Avalanche	Preview capsule	Your take?
Edmonton Oilers	Preview capsule	Your take?
Minnesota Wild	Preview capsule	Your take?
Vancouver Canucks	Preview capsule	Your take?
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PACIFIC DIVISION
Anaheim Mighty Ducks	Preview capsule	Your take?
Dallas Stars	Preview capsule	Your take?
Los Angeles Kings	Preview capsule	Your take?
Phoenix Coyotes	Preview capsule	Your take?
San Jose Sharks	Preview capsule	Your take?
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SOUTHEAST
Atlanta Thrashers	Preview capsule	Your take?
Carolina Hurricanes	Preview capsule	Your take?
Florida Panthers	Preview capsule	Your take?
Tampa Bay Lightning	Preview capsule	Your take?
Washington Capitals	Preview capsule	Your take?
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NORTHEAST
Boston Bruins	Preview capsule	Your take?
Buffalo Sabres	Preview capsule	Your take?
Ottawa Senators	Preview capsule	Your take?
Montreal Canadiens	Preview capsule	Your take?
Toronto Maple Leafs	Preview capsule	Your take?
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ATLANTIC DIVISION
New Jersey Devils	Preview capsule	Your take?
New York Islanders	Preview capsule	Your take?
New York Rangers	Preview capsule	Your take?
Philadelphia Flyers	Preview capsule	Your take?
Pittsburgh Penguins	Preview capsule	Your take?
ESPN The Magazine's take

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